John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
